GM fullsize AWD Van Info thread

Scotty D

Active member
Has anyone replaced an engine on one of these vans and have an approximate cost? found a AWD one locally with 225k miles and know a new engine will be in my future and just curious what to expect
How many miles are you planning to put on?
I am at 250k and running strong. I expect to get another 50k at least before I rebuild . For me that is years of use
 

ferdaphoto

New member
How many miles are you planning to put on?
I am at 250k and running strong. I expect to get another 50k at least before I rebuild . For me that is years of use
Not sure, until it dies I guess and I don't want to keep it going. The van doesn't have a great history, odometer rollback reported on carfax, its a super steal so I am trying to consider the cost of a new engine into the price to determine if the deal is still good, realistic mileage based off rollback is probably around 270k. I plan to get a thorough run through of the drivetrain before I buy to make sure there aren't any issues, but just want to do some research first of course.

It will be a daily driver in the winter, otherwise my commute can be handled by bike the rest of the year.
 
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Scotty D

Active member
Not sure, until it dies I guess and I don't want to keep it going. The van doesn't have a great history, odometer rollback reported on carfax, its a super steal so I am trying to consider the cost of a new engine into the price to determine if the deal is still good, realistic mileage based off rollback is probably around 270k. I plan to get a thorough run through of the drivetrain before I buy to make sure there aren't any issues, but just want to do some research first of course.

It will be a daily driver in the winter, otherwise my commute can be handled by bike the rest of the year.
You are going to love having your rig at work.
For lunch you can use the kitchen to make a hot meal or coffee or tea on break.
I have even been known to crash in the parking lot after a very long day at work instead of driving home in the middle of the night
 

Reluctanse

New member
Hey friends! Just picked up an '04 to replace our Suburban family hauler.

IMG_1931.jpg

I've got a crew cab K3500 for real offroading duty, this is mostly for my wife cruising around town, and to have the AWD life for the occasionally snowy trip.

First thing to go is that roof rack, then I need to rebuild the whole front end.

I intend to keep the height "stock", just leveling the front to match the rear-

Question as I need tires, and I'm already looking at wheel options... anyone have luck with fitting a 0 offset wheel on a 265/75r16 or 265/70r17, or is that just too much poke to fit on stockish height? A little trimming wouldn't be the end of the world...
 

Scotty D

Active member
Hey friends! Just picked up an '04 to replace our Suburban family hauler.

View attachment 862701

I've got a crew cab K3500 for real offroading duty, this is mostly for my wife cruising around town, and to have the AWD life for the occasionally snowy trip.

First thing to go is that roof rack, then I need to rebuild the whole front end.

I intend to keep the height "stock", just leveling the front to match the rear-

Question as I need tires, and I'm already looking at wheel options... anyone have luck with fitting a 0 offset wheel on a 265/75r16 or 265/70r17, or is that just too much poke to fit on stockish height? A little trimming wouldn't be the end of the world...
I would not increase the diameter of the tires. These are geared way too high as it is. I would love to have bigger tires on my van but first gear and reverse are just waaaaaay too tall. So tall in fact , that in the sand you can only go forward once you stop, in reverse , the tires just wont move
 

86scotty

Cynic
I have put 265's on two AWD Chevy vans and what Scotty D said is true. The factory 3:73 (?) gearing is not great for these. Wait, maybe it's 3:43, even worse. Can't remember.
 
I have put 265's on two AWD Chevy vans and what Scotty D said is true. The factory 3:73 (?) gearing is not great for these. Wait, maybe it's 3:43, even worse. Can't remember.
Mine is a 3.43. It's also on 265's, which I agree, are way too big for the gear ratio. I have it lifted with the Boulder Offroad kit. When the current set of tires wear out, I'll probably put a 255 or even 245 BFG KO2 or 3.
 

Willsfree

Active member
Mine is a 3.43. It's also on 265's, which I agree, are way too big for the gear ratio. I have it lifted with the Boulder Offroad kit. When the current set of tires wear out, I'll probably put a 255 or even 245 BFG KO2 or 3.
I run LT235/85R-16 Toyo Open Country A/T III E. Van would be better with a regear for going up steep mountain passes. Using the Tow/Haul switch does improve shift settings.
 

Reluctanse

New member
Well I hear you guys, but this is pretty much a highway rig for around town, will not see any offroading beyond a gravel road or two.
Also, I don't understand your guys trouble with the bigger tires, maybe you have the 3.43s... this van is geared with 3.73s just like my suburban, which does just fine on 275s.

But to the question, will a 275 fit on an OEM GM 18" wheel from a Sierra/Silverado?

Front is tight but that's an easy trim
IMG_2070.jpg

Rear is close but seems like it'll be fine
IMG_2071.jpg

IMG_2074.jpg


I'm not running these tires, still going to order some. But this gives me ideas of what tire size ranges I have to work with.
 

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stevets

New member
I don't think lift matters in terms of tire clearance. But I'm running 265 70 17's with a +/_ 3" lift with no rubbing issues. Cruises 80 all day and I wish the shifting were a bit better but I'm old so it still seems like a dream vehicle in terms of it's operation and reliability.
I have Hankook dyna pro AT's and can't wait for them to wear out so I can get some nice quiet road tires. Only very occasionally get on anything really chunky and I'm willing to take my chances as a tradeoff for less road noise.

Great looking van. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.
 

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